Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Forward Clubs: The Gunners and England

Alessia Russo made history with Arsenal as they became the pioneering British team to win the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the European Championship final and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

Russo was named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for last season.

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and selected in the PFA and the European season's best XIs.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I know I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that led to success. In my opinion you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of watching her a couple of occasions with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But observing her play was someone that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the competition but she was also a persistent danger in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey regularly played progressive passes into her, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, creating space from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a marker got too close, she used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, nobody was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the play settles, her control are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she remains aware of where opponents are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.